Six dead and one seriously injured as a result of the collapse of an artisanal gold mine in Tete province, police authorities said.  

"We have confirmed the death of six people," including five women and one man, said Feliciano da Câmara, spokesman for the Republic of Mozambique Police (PRM) in Tete, quoted by Lusa.

The incident, which in addition to the deaths caused one serious injury, took place on Tuesday in the village of Ntengo wa Nyenje, in the Angónia district, the source said.

The injured man was taken to Angónia Rural Hospital and "is currently in a stable condition", said Feliciano da Câmara.

The police also said that further investigations into the incident were underway and that the authorities had no knowledge of the existence of the illegal mine.